View source for Simon Coveney

{{Short description|Irish former politician (born 1972)}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image          = Simon Coveney, May 2022 (cropped).jpg
| caption        = Coveney in 2022
| office3        = [[Tánaiste]]
| taoiseach3     = [[Leo Varadkar]]
| term_start3    = 30 November 2017
| term_end3      = 27 June 2020
| predecessor3   = [[Frances Fitzgerald (politician)|Frances Fitzgerald]]
| successor3     = [[Leo Varadkar]]
| office5        = [[Leader of Fine Gael|Deputy leader of Fine Gael]]
| leader5        = {{ubl|[[Leo Varadkar]]|[[Simon Harris]]}}
| term_start5    = 13 June 2017
| term_end5      = 5 April 2024
| predecessor5   = [[James Reilly (Irish politician)|James Reilly]]
| successor5     = [[Heather Humphreys]]
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Ministerial positions|titlestyle=border: 1px dashed lightgrey;}}
{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
| office         = [[Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment|Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment]]
| taoiseach      = [[Leo Varadkar]]
| term_start     = 17 December 2022
| term_end       = 9 April 2024
| predecessor    = Leo Varadkar
| successor      = [[Peter Burke (politician)|Peter Burke]]
| office1        = [[Minister for Defence (Ireland)|Minister for Defence]]
| taoiseach1     = Micheál Martin
| term_start1    = 27 June 2020 
| term_end1      = 17 December 2022
| predecessor1   = [[Leo Varadkar]]
| successor1     = Micheál Martin
| taoiseach2     = [[Enda Kenny]]
| term_start2    = 11 July 2014
| term_end2      = 6 May 2016
| predecessor2   = Enda Kenny
| successor2     = Enda Kenny
| office4        = [[Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade|Minister for Foreign Affairs]]
| taoiseach4     = {{ubl|[[Leo Varadkar]]|[[Micheál Martin]]}}
| term_start4    = 14 June 2017
| term_end4      = 17 December 2022
| predecessor4   = [[Charles Flanagan]]
| successor4     = Micheál Martin
| office7        = [[Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage|Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government]]
| taoiseach7     = [[Enda Kenny]]
| term_start7    = 6 May 2016
| term_end7      = 14 June 2017
| predecessor7   = [[Alan Kelly (politician)|Alan Kelly]]
| successor7     = [[Eoghan Murphy]]
| office8        = [[Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine]]
| taoiseach8     = [[Enda Kenny]]
| term_start8    = 9 March 2011
| term_end8      = 6 May 2016
| predecessor8   = [[Brendan Smith (politician)|Brendan Smith]]
| successor8     = [[Michael Creed]]
}}
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
| office9        = [[Teachta Dála]]
| term_start9    = [[1998 Cork South-Central by-election|October 1998]]
| term_end9      = [[2024 Irish general election|November 2024]]
| constituency9  = [[Cork South-Central (Dáil constituency)|Cork South-Central]]
| office10       = [[Member of the European Parliament]]
| term_start10   = 20 July 2004
| term_end10     = 24 June 2007
| constituency10 = [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]]
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1972|6|16|df=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Cork (city)|Cork]], Ireland
| death_date     = 
| death_place    = 
| party          = [[Fine Gael]]
| spouse         = {{marriage|Ruth Furney|2008}}
| children       = 3
| father         = [[Hugh Coveney]]
| education      = [[Clongowes Wood College]]
| alma_mater     = {{Ubl|[[University College Cork]]|[[Gurteen College]]|[[Royal Agricultural University]]}}
| website        = {{URL|simoncoveney.ie}}
|}}
'''Simon Coveney''' (born 16 June 1972) is an Irish former [[Fine Gael]] politician who served as [[Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment|Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment]] from 2022 to 2024. He served as [[Leader of Fine Gael#Deputy leaders|deputy leader of Fine Gael]] from 2017 to 2024. He was in the [[government of Ireland|cabinet]] from 2011 to 2024, holding a range of ministerial portfolios, including as [[Tánaiste]] from 2017 to 2020.

He served as a [[Teachta Dála]] (TD) for the [[Cork South-Central (Dáil constituency)|Cork South-Central]] constituency from 1998 to 2024, having been elected in a by-election following the death of his father [[Hugh Coveney]]. He also served as a [[Member of the European Parliament]] (MEP) for the [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]] constituency from 2004 to 2007.<ref name=oireachtas_db>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Simon-Coveney.D.1998-10-23/|title=Simon Coveney|work=Oireachtas Members Database|access-date=7 March 2009|archive-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907071106/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Simon-Coveney.D.1998-10-23/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Coveney was born in [[Cork (city)|Cork]] in 1972 to [[Hugh Coveney]] and Pauline Coveney. He has 5 brothers and 1 sister.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Coveneys: All you need to know about 'the Kennedys of County Cork' |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/the-coveneys-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-kennedys-of-county-cork-35706406.html |access-date=19 December 2022|newspaper=Irish Independent |language=en |archive-date=19 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219124338/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/the-coveneys-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-kennedys-of-county-cork-35706406.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His father was a chartered [[quantity surveyor]] and later a [[Teachta Dála|TD]], and also a member of one of the famous merchant families in the city. His uncle was Archbishop [[Patrick Coveney]]. Simon was educated locally in Cork, before later attending [[Clongowes Wood College]], [[County Kildare]]. He was expelled from the college in [[Transition Year]] but ultimately was invited back to complete his full six years there. He repeated his [[Leaving Certificate (Ireland)|Leaving Certificate]] in Bruce College in Cork.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/miriam-meets/programmes/2010/0226/346759-280210/|title=Miriam Meets... Patrick and Simon Coveney, TD|work=[[RTÉ Radio 1]]|access-date=11 March 2011|archive-date=30 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430210214/http://www.rte.ie/radio1/miriammeets/280210.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Coveney subsequently attended [[University College Cork]] and [[Gurteen Agricultural College]], before completing a BSc in Agriculture and Land Management from [[Royal Agricultural University|Royal Agricultural College]], [[Gloucestershire]]. In 1997–1998, he led the Sail Chernobyl Project, which involved sailing a boat 30,000 miles around the world and raising €650,000 for charity. He spent several years working as an agriculture adviser and farm manager.

==Political career==
===Early years in the Dáil: 1998–2004===
Coveney was elected to the [[28th Dáil]] as a Fine Gael candidate for [[Cork South-Central (Dáil constituency)|Cork South-Central]] in a [[1998 Cork South-Central by-election|by-election]], caused by the death of his father in 1998. Although he was a strong supporter of party leader [[John Bruton]], he remained on the backbenches for a number of years. At the [[1999 Irish local elections|1999 local elections]], he was elected to [[Cork County Council]] for the [[Carrigaline]] area.<ref name=elecs_irl/>

In 2001, discipline in the parliamentary party broke down and Coveney came out against Bruton in a leadership heave. His loss of support was a surprise and encouraged others to vote against Bruton. The subsequent [[2001 Fine Gael leadership election|leadership contest]] was won by [[Michael Noonan (Fine Gael politician)|Michael Noonan]] and a new front bench was put in place.

After an initial period on the backbenches, Coveney was promoted to the [[Fine Gael Front Bench|front bench]] by [[Michael Noonan (Fine Gael politician)|Michael Noonan]], as deputy chief whip.

Coveney was re-elected at the [[2002 Irish general election|2002 general election]]. Fine Gael lost twenty-three seats at the election including some of its leading party figures. Noonan was replaced as party leader by [[Enda Kenny]], who promoted Coveney to the position of spokesperson on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, in his new front bench.

===Member of the European Parliament: 2004–2007===
[[File:6th EU Parliament Coveney 28118.jpg|left|thumb|Coveney as an [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]]]]
Coveney was elected to the [[European Parliament]] for the [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]] constituency at the [[2004 European Parliament election in Ireland|2004 European Parliament election]]. During his three years as an [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]], Coveney held the position of human rights co-ordinator for the [[European People's Party Group]], and twice authored the Parliament's Annual Report on Human Rights in the world. He spearheaded the Stop the Traffic campaign at the European Parliament. He was a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Delegation for Relations with the United States and a substitute on the Human Rights Subcommittee, Fisheries Committee, Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee and the Delegation for Relations with Iran.

===30th Dáil: 2007–2011===
Coveney contested the [[2007 Irish general election|2007 general election]]. He was successful in being returned to the Dáil, and as a result, was required to step down as an MEP. He was replaced in the European Parliament by [[Colm Burke]].<ref name=elecs_irl>{{cite web|url=http://www.electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?id=4443|title=Simon Coveney|work=ElectionsIreland.org|access-date=7 March 2009|archive-date=3 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203043008/http://electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=4443|url-status=live}}</ref> Fine Gael won back many of the seats that the party had lost five years earlier; however, they remained in opposition. Coveney returned to the party's front bench as Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

In June 2010, Coveney and a number of other front bench members stated that they had [[Enda Kenny#2010 challenge to leadership|no confidence in their party leader]], Enda Kenny. Kenny won a motion of confidence in his leadership.<ref name=RTE_17062010>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0617/finegael.html |title=Kenny survives confidence vote |work=[[RTÉ News]] |date=17 June 2010 |access-date=3 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619022616/http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0617/finegael.html |archive-date=19 June 2010 }}</ref> Coveney was re-appointed to the front bench as Spokesperson on Transport.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0701/finegael.html |title=Bruton & Noonan return to Fine Gael frontbench |date=1 July 2010 |work=[[RTÉ News]] |access-date=3 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704030628/http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0701/finegael.html |archive-date= 4 July 2010 }}</ref>

===Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine: 2011–2016===
Following the [[2011 Irish general election|2011 general election]], Kenny led a Fine Gael–Labour Party coalition government.
On 9 March 2011, Coveney was appointed as [[Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine]]. He attended his first [[Council of the European Union|meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers]], in [[Brussels]] on 17 March 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0316/agriculture.html|title=Simon Coveney to attend EU agriculture talks|work=[[RTÉ News]]|date=16 March 2011|access-date=17 March 2011|archive-date=14 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114164742/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0316/agriculture.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Coveney provoked controversy when, in September 2011, he flew to [[Algeria]], on the government jet at a cost of more than €26,000 to the Irish taxpayer when there were flights available for €16,331.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/coveney-stands-by-euro26000-spend-on-government-jet-2929333.html|title=Coveney stands by €26,000 spend on government jet|last=McQuinn|first=Cormac|author2=Sheehan, Aideen|work=Irish Independent|date=9 November 2011|access-date=9 November 2011|archive-date=11 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111214100/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/coveney-stands-by-euro26000-spend-on-government-jet-2929333.html|url-status=live}}</ref> While there, Coveney cut a ribbon at the opening of a supermarket in [[Oran]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/coveney-cut-ribbon-for-shop-on-euro26000-jet-trip-to-algeria-2927993.html|title=Coveney 'cut ribbon' for shop on €26,000 jet trip to Algeria|last=McQuinn|first=Cormac|work=Irish Independent|date=8 November 2011|access-date=8 November 2011|archive-date=10 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110144343/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/coveney-cut-ribbon-for-shop-on-euro26000-jet-trip-to-algeria-2927993.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.joe.ie/news-politics/current-affairs/the-government-minister-the-supermarket-opening-and-the-e26000-bill-0017517-1|title=The Government Minister, the supermarket-opening and the €26,000 bill|work=JOE|date=8 November 2011|access-date=8 November 2011|archive-date=10 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110231048/http://www.joe.ie/news-politics/current-affairs/the-government-minister-the-supermarket-opening-and-the-e26000-bill-0017517-1|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2014, Coveney attended a meeting of the [[Bilderberg Group]], in [[Copenhagen]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/simon-coveney-bilderberg-conference-1490010-May2014/|title=This minister is heading to the secretive Bilderberg summit – but in a 'private capacity'|newspaper=[[TheJournal.ie]]|date=28 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608203319/http://www.thejournal.ie/simon-coveney-bilderberg-conference-1490010-May2014/|archive-date=8 June 2015}}</ref>

===Minister for Defence: 2014–2016===
[[File:Chief of Staff Lt Gen Conor O'Boyle briefs the Minister for Defence during a UN heli flight to 47 Infantry Group HQ.jpg|thumbnail|Fmr. [[Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces (Ireland)|Defence Forces Chief of Staff]] [[Lieutenant general|Lt Gen]] [[Conor O'Boyle]] briefing then Minister for Defence Simon Coveney]]
On 11 July 2014, in a [[cabinet reshuffle]] following the resignation of [[Eamon Gilmore]] as [[Tánaiste]], Coveney was given an additional appointment as [[Minister for Defence (Ireland)|Minister for Defence]]. In August 2015, he launched a White Paper on Defence.<ref>{{cite web |title=White Paper on Defence 2015 |url=https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/21963/f1e7723dd1764a4281692f3f7cb96966.pdf |website=Gov.ie |publisher=Department of Defence}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Minihan|first1=Mary|title=Simon Coveney says Ireland has under-invested in defence|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/simon-coveney-says-ireland-has-under-invested-in-defence-1.2329828|access-date=24 February 2017|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 August 2015|archive-date=6 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306022758/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/simon-coveney-says-ireland-has-under-invested-in-defence-1.2329828|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 17 June 2015, Coveney questioned the judgment of an experienced Air Corps pilot who refused to fly him to Cork, because of predicted fog. In email correspondence between [[Department of Defence (Ireland)|Department of Defence]] officials, the Air Corps is described as being "very unhappy" about the incident and indicating that they had never received such a call in 25 years".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/coveney-challenged-pilot-who-refused-to-fly-due-to-fog-forecast-1.3143597|title=Coveney challenged pilot who refused to fly due to fog forecast|website=Irishtimes.ie|access-date=7 August 2018|archive-date=28 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128053804/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/coveney-challenged-pilot-who-refused-to-fly-due-to-fog-forecast-1.3143597|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2017 it emerged that a number of Air Corps whistleblowers had attempted to contact Coveney while he was defence minister over their concerns about the adverse health impacts of chemicals used to service the force's aircraft. The whistleblowers had complained about being unable to speak to Coveney about the issue, however Coveney claimed he was "not aware of there being any problem with hearing from, or talking to, or understanding the concerns that whistleblowers may have".

[[File:Simon Coveney, Minister of Defence.jpg|thumb|Minister for Defence Coveney at a press conference in September 2014]]
The ''[[Irish Examiner]]'' subsequently published a series of text messages between one of the whistleblowers and then-Chief Whip [[Regina Doherty]] sent in January 2016. Doherty forwarded a text message onto one of the whistleblowers that she said came from Coveney, in which he said he would call this whistleblower the next day. The call never took place.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Leogue|first=Joe|date=8 February 2017|title=Texts suggest Simon Coveney knew of Air Corps whistleblowers|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20442333.html|access-date=30 November 2020|website=Irish Examiner|language=en|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111190700/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20442333.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Speaking in the Dáil on the revelations, Fianna Fáil leader [[Micheál Martin]] described the Government handling of the whistleblowers' complaints as "a scandal".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Oireachtas|first=Houses of the|title=Leaders' Questions – Dáil Éireann (32nd Dáil) |date=1 February 2017 |website= Houses of the Oireachtas |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2017-02-01/3 |access-date=30 November 2020|language=en-ie |archive-date=24 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224010141/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2017-02-01/3/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: 2016–2017===
Following the [[2016 Irish general election|2016 general election]], Fine Gael returned to government. On 6 May 2016, Coveney was appointed as the [[Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage|Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government]], with Taoiseach Enda Kenny taking over the Defence portfolio and [[Michael Creed]] becoming the new Minister for Agriculture.<ref>{{cite news|title=Frances Fitzgerald is Tánaiste in new Cabinet|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0506/786692-cabinet-announcements/|access-date=6 May 2016|publisher=RTÉ News|date=6 May 2016|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507135854/http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0506/786692-cabinet-announcements/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Fine Gael leadership election: 2017===
Following the resignation of Enda Kenny as party leader, Coveney contested the [[2017 Fine Gael leadership election|leadership election]]. On 2 June 2017, Coveney lost to [[Leo Varadkar]], although he had gaining the support of 65% of party members (party members only had 25% of the vote in Fine Gael's electoral college). On 13 June 2017, Varadkar appointed Coveney the deputy leader of the party.<ref>{{cite news|title=Varadkar appoints Coveney as deputy Fine Gael leader|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0613/882504-leo-varadkar-fine-gael/|publisher=RTÉ News|date=13 June 2017|access-date=13 June 2017|archive-date=13 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613180508/https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0613/882504-leo-varadkar-fine-gael/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade: 2017–2022===
[[File:Secretary Tillerson and Irish Deputy Prime Minister Coveney Address Reporters in Washington (39549850925).jpg|thumb|Coveney with [[US Secretary of State]] [[Rex Tillerson]] in 2018]]
[[File:Secretary Blinken Meets with Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney (51205878639).jpg|thumb|Coveney with US Secretary of State [[Antony Blinken]] in 2021]]
Varadkar succeeded Kenny as Taoiseach and named Coveney as [[Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade]], with special responsibilities for [[Brexit]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Coveney appointed Irish foreign minister |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40138423 |work=BBC News |date=15 June 2017 |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622163603/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40138423 |url-status=live }}</ref> Coveney succeeded [[Charles Flanagan]], who became [[Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration|Minister for Justice and Equality]]. It was understood Coveney heavily lobbied Varadkar for the role as he wanted a large role on [[Brexit]]. From 2018, he has also co-chaired the [[European People's Party]] (EPP) Justice and Home Affairs Ministers Meeting, alongside [[Esteban González Pons]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epp.eu/about-us/structure/ |title=Council of the EU and Ministerial meetings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927131847/http://www.epp.eu/about-us/structure/ |archive-date=27 September 2016 |website=[[European People's Party]]}}</ref>

On 30 November 2017, following the resignation from cabinet of [[Frances Fitzgerald (politician)|Frances Fitzgerald]], Varadkar named Coveney as the new [[Tánaiste]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-tnaiste-simon-coveney-36367486.html|title=Everything you need to know about the new Tánaiste Simon Coveney|date=1 December 2017|work=Irish Independent|access-date=1 December 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201195131/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-tnaiste-simon-coveney-36367486.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to [[Lawrence Franklin]] of the [[Gatestone Institute]], within the Irish government, Coveney opposed the [[Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill]] to ban goods produced in [[Israeli settlements]]. He has expressed concern that the bill might contravene EU trade law.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Franklin |first1=Lawrence |title=Dublin's Anti-Israel Boycott Bill: Bad for Ireland, Worse for the Palestinians, Terrible for Everyone |url=https://spme.org/boycotts-divestments-sanctions-bds/boycotts-divestments-and-sanctions-bds-news/dublins-anti-israel-boycott-bill-bad-for-ireland-worse-for-the-palestinians-terrible-for-everyone/25598/ |publisher=Scholars for Peace in the Middle East |access-date=17 September 2019 |date=29 July 2019 |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929093359/https://spme.org/boycotts-divestments-sanctions-bds/boycotts-divestments-and-sanctions-bds-news/dublins-anti-israel-boycott-bill-bad-for-ireland-worse-for-the-palestinians-terrible-for-everyone/25598/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2020, following the formation of a coalition government of Fine Gael, [[Fianna Fáil]] and the [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]] (led initially by [[Micheál Martin]] as Taoiseach), Coveney was re-appointed as [[Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade|Minister for Foreign Affairs]]. The Trade part of the portfolio was transferred to another government department.

On 25 March 2022, Coveney was giving a speech in [[Belfast]] when he forced to leave the stage, following the discovery of a "suspect device" in a hjacked van in the carpark. Coveney had been speaking following a meeting with the John and Pat Hume Foundation.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=McClements |first1=Freya |last2=Horgan-Jones |first2=Jack |title='Suspect device' discovery following van hijacking halts speech by Simon Coveney in Belfast |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/suspect-device-discovery-following-van-hijacking-halts-speech-by-simon-coveney-in-belfast-1.4835989 |access-date=25 March 2022|newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325152436/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/suspect-device-discovery-following-van-hijacking-halts-speech-by-simon-coveney-in-belfast-1.4835989 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Coveney and Ireland's ambassador to Ukraine Thérèse Healy visited Ukraine on 13 April 2022 where Coveney met his counterparts, Ukraine foreign minister [[Dmytro Kuleba]] and defence minister [[Oleksii Reznikov]], in [[Kyiv]]  and visited the site of the [[Bucha massacre]] the following day. Coveney travelled via Poland and was the first foreign minister on the UN Security Council to visit Ukraine since the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion]] began in February. He was also accompanied by a political adviser and a protection team.<ref>[https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0414/1292239-simon-coveney-kyiv/ Coveney visits site of mass grave in 'devastated' Bucha] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415232558/https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0414/1292239-simon-coveney-kyiv/ |date=15 April 2022 }} RTÉ News, 2022-04-15.</ref><ref>[https://independent.ie/news/simon-coveney-in-kyiv-minister-taken-by-special-forces-to-secret-location-for-talks-41551507.html Simon Coveney in Kyiv: Minister taken by special forces to secret location for talks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013060148/https://www.independent.ie/news/simon-coveney-in-kyiv-minister-taken-by-special-forces-to-secret-location-for-talks-41551507.html |date=13 October 2022 }} Irish Independent, 2020-04-15.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61105160 Ukraine war: Coveney visits Kyiv to meet Ukrainian government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415232556/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61105160 |date=15 April 2022 }} BBC News, 2022-04-15.</ref>

On 20 May 2022, Coveney took over from [[Luigi Di Maio]] as chairman of the [[Council of Europe]]'s [[Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe|Committee of Ministers]]. He served in this role until November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ireland takes over the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers |url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/full-news/-/asset_publisher/y5xQt7QdunzT/content/ireland-takes-over-the-chairmanship-of-the-committee-of-ministers |access-date=24 May 2022|website=Council of Europe |language=en-GB |archive-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527152159/https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/full-news/-/asset_publisher/y5xQt7QdunzT/content/ireland-takes-over-the-chairmanship-of-the-committee-of-ministers |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Brexit negotiations====
[[File:Tánaiste and Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland (26168516268).jpg|thumb|Coveney meets with [[Boris Johnson]] in London in 2018]]
On 27 January 2019, Coveney in an interview with [[Andrew Marr]], said the [[Irish backstop]] in the [[Brexit withdrawal agreement]] will not be changed. He said the backstop was already a pragmatic compromise between the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[European Union]] to avoid infrastructure on the Irish border, that there was no sensible legally-sound alternative to the backstop, and that the European Parliament would not ratify a Brexit withdrawal agreement without the backstop in it.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/there-will-be-no-change-to-the-brexit-backstop-says-coveney-1.3772249 |title=There will be no change to the Brexit backstop, says Coveney |work=Irish Times |date=27 January 2019|access-date=27 January 2019 |archive-date=5 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905062822/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/there-will-be-no-change-to-the-brexit-backstop-says-coveney-1.3772249 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====COVID-19 pandemic====
As Minister for Foreign Affairs, Coveney headed up the response to the COVID-19 pandemic on behalf of the [[government of Ireland]]. On 10 March 2020, he upgraded travel advice recommending that Irish citizens do not travel to [[Italy]]. He added that people should think carefully about unnecessary public gatherings and urged the public to play their part and help themselves by following advice and doing practical things like sneezing and washing hands properly.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 March 2020|title=Irish citizens recommended not to go to Italy - Coveney|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2020/0310/1121280-coveney-covid-19/|website=[[RTÉ News]]|language=en}}</ref>

====Katherine Zappone controversy====
{{main|Katherine Zappone controversy}}
In July 2021, Coveney found himself embroiled in a political scandal relating to the appointment of former Independent TD [[Katherine Zappone]], who had served in cabinet with Coveney, as a special envoy to the UN. During a cabinet meeting of the coalition government, Coveney proposed Zappone for the role without having previously discussed the matter with Taoiseach [[Micheál Martin]]. Martin expressed concerns about the appointment but ultimately allowed it.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/taoiseach-not-told-in-advance-of-decision-to-appoint-katherine-zappone-to-taxpayer-funded-un-role-40694872.html |title=Taoiseach not told in advance of decision to appoint Katherine Zappone to taxpayer-funded UN role |last=Ryan |first=Philip |publisher=[[Irish Independent]] |date=27 July 2021 |access-date=4 August 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803221028/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/taoiseach-not-told-in-advance-of-decision-to-appoint-katherine-zappone-to-taxpayer-funded-un-role-40694872.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, it emerged that Coveney had not advertised or offered the role to anyone but Zappone,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40347902.html|title=Zappone lobbied Simon Coveney for Special Envoy role|last=McConnell|first=Daniel|publisher=[[Irish Examiner]]|date=28 July 2021|access-date=4 August 2021|archive-date=4 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804162312/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40347902.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and that in the run-up to the appointment, Zappone had hosted an event at the [[Merrion Hotel]] in breach of COVID-19 regulations at which members of the political establishment were present, including Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Philip |date=4 August 2021 |title=Katherine Zappone 'assured by hotel' that party with 50 friends, including Tánaiste, was in line with Covid-19 restrictions |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/katherine-zappone-assured-by-hotel-that-party-with-50-friends-including-tanaiste-was-in-line-with-covid-19-restrictions-40717044.html |newspaper=[[Irish Independent]] |location= |access-date=8 August 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809013605/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/katherine-zappone-assured-by-hotel-that-party-with-50-friends-including-tanaiste-was-in-line-with-covid-19-restrictions-40717044.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Striking similarities">{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40352261.html|title='Striking similarities' between golfgate controversy and Katherine Zappone function|last=Loughlin|first=Elaine|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=4 August 2021|access-date=4 August 2021|archive-date=4 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804084450/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40352261.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In response, many opposition parties accused the appointment as being a product of [[cronyism]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/we-look-like-fools-tds-upset-at-how-katherine-zappone-was-given-job-as-free-speech-envoy-40699810.html|title="We look like fools" – TDs upset at how Katherine Zappone was given job as free speech envoy|last=Moloney|first=Senan|publisher=[[Irish Independent]]|date=29 July 2021|access-date=4 August 2021|archive-date=4 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804162308/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/we-look-like-fools-tds-upset-at-how-katherine-zappone-was-given-job-as-free-speech-envoy-40699810.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of the controversy, Zappone later declined to take up the role.<ref name="Zappone declines">{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40352549.html|title=Breaking: Zappone will not take up Special Envoy role|last=Hosford|first=Paul|publisher=[[Irish Examiner]]|date=4 August 2021|access-date=4 August 2021|archive-date=4 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804144150/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40352549.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In September, Coveney admitted that he had deleted texts from his phone in relation to the Zappone affair. Coveney gave a number of reasons for deleting the texts, including that he had deleted them for more storage space, and for security reasons as his phone had previously been "hacked". Coveney's explanations were criticised by many members of the Dáil, including by members of government coalition members Fianna Fáil. Senator [[Catherine Ardagh]] of Fianna Fáil stated it "beggars belief that important text messages related to work matters would be deleted" while Fianna Fáil TD [[James Lawless]] said "Modern phones have ample storage without having to frequently delete. I would also question to what extent is there an obligation on those subject to Freedom of Information to retain such information".<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Hugh |date=1 September 2021 |title=Merriongate: Simon Coveney admits he deleted crucial text messages with Zappone and Varadkar |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/coveney-admits-he-deleted-crucial-text-messages-related-to-merriongate-affair-40804747.html |work=[[Irish Independent]] |location= |access-date= |archive-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915205728/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/coveney-admits-he-deleted-crucial-text-messages-related-to-merriongate-affair-40804747.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 15 September, upon the return of the [[Dáil]] from a summer recess, a [[motion of no confidence]] was brought forward by Sinn Féin against Coveney as a direct result of the Zappone appointment and his subsequent handling of the affair in the aftermath of the details becoming public. Coveney survived the motion 92 votes to 59, with the support of the government parties, while Independent TDs generally sided with the government on the vote as well.<ref>{{cite news |last=Duffy |first=Rónán |date=15 September 2021 |title=Minister Simon Coveney wins confidence vote in the Dáil by 92 votes to 59 |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/coveney-confidence-vote-5550124-Sep2021/ |work=[[thejournal.ie]] |location= |access-date= |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916093410/https://www.thejournal.ie/coveney-confidence-vote-5550124-Sep2021/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment: 2022–2024===
On 17 December 2022, Varadkar succeeded Martin as Taoiseach, with Martin becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Coveney was appointed [[Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment|Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2022/1217/1342500-cabinet-reshuffle-govt/|title=Reshuffle: Who is in the new Cabinet?|publisher=[[RTÉ News]]|first=Micheál|last=Lehane|date=17 December 2022|access-date=17 December 2022|archive-date=18 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218012318/https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2022/1217/1342500-cabinet-reshuffle-govt/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 2 April 2024, shortly after the election of [[Simon Harris]] as [[Fine Gael leader]], Coveney announced that he would not seek to be appointed to the next cabinet.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0402/1441185-coveney-fine-gael/|title=Coveney announces he is stepping down from Cabinet|publisher=[[RTÉ News]]|first=Sandra|last=Hurley|date=2 April 2024|access-date=2 April 2024|archive-date=2 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402182017/https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0402/1441185-coveney-fine-gael/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 10 July 2024, Coveney announced that he would not contest the [[2024 Irish general election|next general election]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0710/1459122-simon-coveney/|title=Simon Coveney announces he won't stand in next election|publisher=[[RTÉ News]]|first=Mícheál|last=Lehane|date=10 July 2024|access-date=10 July 2024}}</ref>

====Appointment of Paul Hyde to state board====
In August 2023, online news website ''[[The Ditch (website)|The Ditch]]'' reported that Coveney exceeded the legal timeframe for making an appointment to the Marine Institute before appointing Paul Hyde to the role in May 2012. Coveney and Hyde had previously co-owned a yacht. Hyde was sentenced in June 2023 to two months' imprisonment for submitting false declarations of interest to [[An Bord Pleanála]] while serving as its deputy chairperson.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 August 2023|title=Coveney breached marine law by keeping state position open for convict friend Paul Hyde|url=https://www.ontheditch.com/coveney-breached-marine-law/|website=The Ditch|access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Coveney married his long-time girlfriend Ruth Furney, an [[IDA Ireland]] employee, in July 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20068400.html|title=Coveney marries long-term sweetheart|work=[[Irish Examiner]]|date=28 July 2008|access-date=22 September 2020|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428100848/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20068400.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They have three daughters and live in [[Carrigaline]] in Cork.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/woman/celeb-news/girls-aloud-simon-coveney-welcomes-third-daughter-baby-annalise-29095941.html|title=Girls Aloud: Simon Coveney welcomes third daughter baby Annalise|work=[[Irish Independent]]|first=Clodagh|last=Sheehy|date=26 February 2013|access-date=22 September 2020|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428100849/https://www.independent.ie/woman/celeb-news/girls-aloud-simon-coveney-welcomes-third-daughter-baby-annalise-29095941.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/at-home-with-the-coveneys-my-husband-is-far-from-boring-and-will-be-fighting-on-35739854.html|title=At home with the Coveneys: my husband is far from boring and will be fighting on|work=[[Irish Independent]]|first=Nicola|last=Anderson|date=22 May 2017|access-date=22 September 2020|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012838/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/at-home-with-the-coveneys-my-husband-is-far-from-boring-and-will-be-fighting-on-35739854.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Families in the Oireachtas]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|simoncoveney.ie}}
*[https://www.finegael.ie/our-people/ministers/cork-south-central/simon-coveney/ Simon Coveney's page on the Fine Gael website]
*[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sidesSearch/search.do?type=REPORT&language=EN&term=6&author=28118 Coveney authored reports on Human Rights in the World]
*{{MEP|28118|Simon Coveney}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Brendan Smith (politician)|Brendan Smith]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine]]
       |years  = 2011–2016}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Michael Creed]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Enda Kenny]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Defence (Ireland)|Minister for Defence]]
       |years  = 2014–2016}}
{{s-aft|after  = Enda Kenny}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Alan Kelly (politician)|Alan Kelly]]|as=Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage|Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government]]
       |years  = 2016–2017}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Eoghan Murphy]]|as=Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Frances Fitzgerald (politician)|Frances Fitzgerald]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Tánaiste]]
       |years  = 2017–2020}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Leo Varadkar]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Charles Flanagan]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade|Minister for Foreign Affairs]]
       |years  = 2017–2022}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Micheál Martin]]|rows=2}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Leo Varadkar]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Defence (Ireland)|Minister for Defence]]
       |years  = 2020–2022}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Leo Varadkar]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment|Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment]]
       |years  = 2022–2024}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Peter Burke (politician)|Peter Burke]]}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before = [[James Reilly (Irish politician)|James Reilly]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Leader of Fine Gael#Deputy leaders|Deputy leader of Fine Gael]]
       |years  = 2017–2024}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Heather Humphreys]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Navboxes|
|list1=
{{Cork South-Central (Dáil constituency)/TDs}}
{{Deputy heads of government of Ireland}}
{{Ministers for foreign affairs of Ireland}}
{{Ministers for agriculture of Ireland}}
{{Ministers for defence of Ireland}}
{{Ministers for enterprise, trade and employment of Ireland}}
{{29th Government of Ireland}}
{{30th Government of Ireland}}
{{31st Government of Ireland}}
{{32nd Government of Ireland}}
{{33rd Government of Ireland}}
{{Members of the European Parliament for Ireland (2004–2009)}}
{{Fine Gael}}
{{Authority control}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coveney, Simon}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Royal Agricultural University]]
[[Category:Alumni of University College Cork]]
[[Category:Fine Gael local councillors]]
[[Category:Fine Gael MEPs]]
[[Category:Fine Gael TDs]]
[[Category:21st-century Irish farmers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of Cork County Council]]
[[Category:Members of the 28th Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 29th Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 30th Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 31st Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 32nd Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 33rd Dáil]]
[[Category:MEPs for the Republic of Ireland 2004–2009]]
[[Category:Ministers for agriculture of Ireland]]
[[Category:Ministers for defence of Ireland]]
[[Category:Ministers for enterprise, trade and employment]]
[[Category:Ministers for foreign affairs of Ireland]]
[[Category:People educated at Clongowes Wood College]]
[[Category:People educated at Presentation Brothers College, Cork]]
[[Category:People from Carrigaline]]
[[Category:Politicians from County Cork]]
[[Category:Tánaistí]]
[[Category:Housing ministers of Ireland]]